DAILY PARLIAMENTARY DEBATES FOR THE FIRST SESSION OF THE ELEVENTH ASSEMBLY

Wednesday, 14th March, 2012

The House met at 1430 hours

[MR DEPUTY SPEAKER in the Chair]

NATIONAL ANTHEM

PRAYER

_________

RULING BY MR DEPUTY SPEAKER

COMPLAINT LODGED BY MR DAVID MATONGO, THE EXECUTIVE DIRECTOR OF THE FOOD RESERVE AGENCY AGAINST MR NDAMBO NDAMBO, THE EXECUTIVE DIRECTOR OF THE ZAMBIA NATIONAL FARMERS’ UNION

Mr Deputy Speaker: Hon. Members, I wish to inform the House that on Thursday, 2nd February, 2012, the Office of the Clerk of the National Assembly received a letter of complaint from the Executive Director of the Food Reserve Agency (FRA), Mr David Matongo, against Mr Ndambo Ndambo, the Executive Director of the Zambia National Farmers’ Union.

The letter reads as follows:

    “Dear Madam,

RE:    APPEARANCE BEFORE THE COMMITTEE ON AGRICULTURE

    “I make reference to the above-captioned matter.

“You may wish to recall that your office requested me to appear before the Committee on Agriculture to respond to the findings of the Report of the Auditor-General on the management of maize grain by the Food Reserve Agency (FRA). In this regard, I availed myself for the meeting on Monday, 23rd January, 2012.

“During the meeting, I was assured by the Chairperson of the Committee, Hon. Request Muntanga, MP, that I was protected under Chapter 12 of the Laws of Zambia, and that the evidence adduced whilst appearing before the Committee could not be used against me in the courts of law or, indeed, anywhere else. I was further assured that during the meeting, I would enjoy immunity and freedom of speech. 

“However, following my appearance, I received a letter signed by Mr Ndambo Ndambo, the Chief Executive of the Zambia National Farmers’ Union (ZNFU), reacting to the report attributed to me in the Post Newspaper Issue No. 5578 of 26th January, 2012. It is not my intention to dispute the facts in the Post Newspaper. However, I am of the view that the protection and privileges I enjoyed whilst appearing before your honourable Committee have been violated, particularly after being assured of protection to enable me to speak freely.

“In the light of the foregoing, I wish to seek your indulgence on this matter. My concern is that, if this is not corrected, in future, I or, indeed, any other stakeholders, may be constrained to present themselves or speak freely before Committees of Parliament for fear of intimidation or victimisation. This might jeopardise the oversight function of Parliament, especially, as regards the meetings of the Committees, where members of the public are, from time to time, requested to appear and make presentations.

“I will await your guidance on this matter and seek your protection in this regard. I attach hereto a copy of the letter from the Zambia National Farmers’ Union for your reference.

Yours faithfully

David Matongo
EXECUTIVE DIRECTOR
FOOD RESERVE AGENCY”

Hon. Members, accordingly, I referred the matter to the Committee on Privileges, Absences and Support Services for consideration. In line with Parliamentary Practice and Procedure, and in accordance with the principles of natural justice, the Office of the Clerk of the National Assembly wrote to Mr Ndambo Ndambo requesting him to confirm or deny being the author of the letter that is the subject of Mr David Matongo’s complaint. Mr Ndambo Ndambo’s letter of response reads as follows:

    “Dear Madam,

COMPLAINT BY MR DAVID MATONGO, EXECUTIVE DIRECTOR OF THE FOOD RESERVE AGENCY AGAINST THE UNDERSIGNED.

“We make reference to your letter dated 21st February, 2012, over the above subject and we respond as follows:

(i)the letterhead and the subsequent endorsement of the letter by the undersigned confirms;

(ii)we merely responded to the story carried in the Post Newspaper, Issue No. 5578 of 26th January, 2012, which story, in the opinion of the Union, was injurious to the image of the organisation and its members.

“We, however, stand to be guided.

Much obliged.

Yours faithfully,

ZAMBIA NATIONAL FARMERS’ UNION

Ndambo Ndambo

 EXECUTIVE DIRECTOR

CC:    ZNFU President”

Hon. Members, the complaint against Mr Ndambo Ndambo raises the issue of a person molesting or intimidating a witness based on the witness’ submission before a Committee of the House. This action constitutes breach of parliamentary privileges and contempt of the House in accordance with the following authorities on the subject:

(i)Section 14 of the National Assembly Powers and Privileges Act, Cap 12 of the Laws of Zambia provides as follows:

“14(1) Every person summoned to attend to give evidence or to produce any paper, book, record or document before the Assembly or an authorised Committee shall be entitled, in respect of such evidence or the disclosure of any communication or the production of any such paper, book, record or document, to the same rights and privileges as before a court of law.”

Further, Section 17 of the Act states that:

    “Any person who –

(a)tampers with, deters, threatens, molests, beguiles or, in any way, unduly influences any witness in regard to any evidence to be given by him before the Assembly or any Committee; or

(b)threatens, molests or, in any way, punishes, damnifies or injures or attempts to punish, damnify or injure any person for having given evidence before the Assembly or any Committee or on account of any evidence which he has given before the Assembly or any Committee shall be liable, on conviction, to a fine not exceeding five thousand penalty units or to imprisonment with or without hard labour for a term not exceeding twelve months or to both.”

Furthermore, Audrey O’brien and Mac Bosc, in a book entitled House of Commons Procedure and Practices, Second Edition, at page 114 state:

“Just as prima facie cases of privileges have been found for the intimidation of Members and their staff, the intimidation of Committee witnesses has also been found to be a prima facie breach of privilege.”

Hon. Members, the Committee on Privileges, Absences and Support Services met to consider Mr David Matongo’s complaint. The House might wish to know that, in addition to their written submissions, both the complainant and the accused were accorded the opportunity to appear before the Committee to state their sides of the story on the matter.

Hon. Members, after examining the evidence of the parties, the Committee established that Mr Ndambo Ndambo had written directly to Mr David Matongo, attacking him over the submission he had made before the Committee on Agriculture. In the light of this finding, the Committee found Mr Ndambo Ndambo guilty of breach of parliamentary privilege and contempt of the House.

Hon. Members, in considering the punishment to be meted out on Mr Ndambo Ndambo, the Committee took into account the fact that Mr Ndambo Ndambo was a first offender. Further, consideration was made to the fact that Mr Ndambo Ndambo admitted the charge and expressed immense remorse for his action. In addition, the Committee had regard of the fact that, as an outsider, Mr Ndambo Ndambo might not have been privy to the proper procedure to be followed when aggrieved by a submission made by a witness before a Committee of the House. In view of this, the Committee elected to exercise leniency. As such, the Committee admonished Mr Ndambo Ndambo in accordance with Parliamentary Practice and Procedure.

The admonition of Mr Ndambo Ndambo in this regard, was meant to counsel him on his wrong action of directly writing to the complainant, attacking him over the submission that he had made before the Committee on Agriculture, and to caution him on the right procedure to be followed when one was injured by a witness’ submission before a Committee of the House.

Hon. Members, I now take this opportunity to guide the House, and the public at large, on the proper procedure to be followed when a person or institution is injured by any submission made by witnesses before the House or any of its Committees.

Let me begin by emphasising the importance of protecting the witnesses that appear before Parliamentary Committees from unwarranted attacks. The public should know that the National Assembly holds the witnesses that appear before its Committees in high esteem. This is because among the critical roles of the National Assembly is providing checks and balances on the performance of the Executive, and one of the ways it does this is through its Committee system. To perform this role efficiently and effectively, the Committees depend greatly on submissions from various witnesses that appear before them from both the private and public sector. It is for this reason that the National Assembly Powers and Privileges Act, Cap 12 of the Laws of Zambia grants witnesses immunity from prosecution before any court of law and, further, makes it an offence for any person to molest or intimidate them based on their submissions to the Committees.

Hon. Members and the public at large, this wide protection accorded to witnesses carries a corresponding duty to ensure that witnesses submit factually. In this regard, any witness that makes a false submission before any Committee of the House is guilty of a grave offence. This helps to guard against witnesses willingly or negligently making statements that have the potential to injure the reputation of persons or institutions. In this regard, any person or institution aggrieved by a submission made to a Committee of the House or, indeed, any statement made on the Floor of the House can write to the Clerk of the National Assembly to seek redress. This, indeed, is the correct procedure to be followed by the aggrieved person or institution in such a case.

Hon. Members are cognisant of the fact that the Parliamentary Reforms embarked on by the National Assembly in 2002 have resulted in the National Assembly being opened up to the public. This means that most Committee proceedings, which were hitherto held in camera, are now open to the public. It is for this reason that Committee proceedings are now increasingly being reported on in the media. It is, therefore, expected that some submissions made before the Committees of the House may not be appealing to some members of the public. I, however, wish to emphasise that those who are aggrieved by any submission made before the House, should direct their grievances to the National Assembly through the Office of the Clerk, not at the witness.

Let me end by urging the public to take this as timely advice so as to avoid breaching of Parliamentary Privileges and being in contempt of the House, which are punishable by the House.

I thank you.

Hon. Members: Hear, hear!

_________

MINISTERIAL STATEMENTS

APPOINTMENT OF DISTRICT COMMISSIONERS IN THE PUBLIC SERVICE

The Vice-President (Dr Scott): Mr Speaker, I wish to deliver a statement on the appointment of District Commissioners in the Public Service.

Sir, I wish to remind the House that on 22nd February, 2012, Monze Central Member of Parliament, Hon. Jack Mwiimbu, raised a point of order that contended that, last year, the Government of the Republic of Zambia, through the Executive, came to this House and informed the hon. Members that it had decided to relieve all the District Commissioners (DCs) because they were party cadres and that the DCs would be appointed from amongst the civil servants currently employed by the Government of the Republic of Zambia. I wish to give a statement in response to that point of order. 

Sir, the post of DC is an establishment position in the Public Service. In accordance with the Constitution of Zambia, Section 44(2)(g), the President has the power to appoint such persons as are required by the Constitution or any other law to be appointed by him. In addition, the President is empowered by the Service Commissions Act, Cap 259 of the Laws of Zambia, to delegate the powers to appoint officers to all established positions in the Public Service, including that of DCs. The appointment of DCs is, therefore, done by the Public Service Commission in the name and on behalf of the President. That is the legal position.

Sir, DCs, like any other Public Service employees, are not allowed to engage in active politics. The PF Government is promoting professionalism, a non-partisan Public Service, …

Hon. PF Members: Hear, hear!

The Vice-President: … which is guided by the Code of Ethics of the Public Service, which states, among other things, that Public Service employees shall be impartial in the following respects:

(a)carrying out their responsibilities in a way that is fair, just and equitable, and reflects the Public Service’s commitment to equality and diversity;

(b)serving the Government of the day to the best of one’s ability in a way that maintains political impartiality, and is in line with the requirements outlined in the code, no matter what one’s political beliefs may be; and

(c)not acting in a way that unjustifiably favours or discriminates against particular individuals or interests based on political, cultural, religious, ethnic, social or other considerations.

Mr Speaker, I do thank you.

Hon. Members: Hear, hear!

Mr Deputy Speaker: Hon. Members are now free to ask questions on points of clarification on the ministerial statement given by His Honour the Vice-President.

Mr Nkombo (Mazabuka Central): Sir, I am thankful that I caught your eye and got the opportunity to ask His Honour the Vice-President a question that I believe, in my heart of hearts, he will answer truthfully. I am very certain that he knows a gentleman called …

Mr Deputy Speaker: Hon. Member, can you ask your question on your point of clarification.

Mr Nkombo: Mr Speaker, is the Vice-President aware that the DC serving in Mazabuka was actually the candidate of the Patriotic Front (PF) in the just-ended Magoye by-election, in which he was walloped so badly?

Interruptions

Mr Deputy Speaker: Order! 

He is asking a question and the Vice-President is going to answer. So give him the opportunity to do so.

Mr Nkombo: Going by the statement given by His Honour the Vice-President, which I believe is truthful, is he aware that Mr Eugene Munyama, the DC for Mazabuka, was the losing candidate in the just-ended by-election in Magoye, where Hon. Mulomba emerged winner?

Hon. PF Members: So what?

Interruption 

Mr Deputy Speaker: Order! 

We must have order. We cannot have a situation in which everybody is talking. His Honour the Vice-President is going to answer.

The Vice-President: Mr Speaker, I think it is clear from my statement that the ethical obligation under the Code of Conduct of DCs or any other civil servant is to act professionally; without political or any other form of discrimination. The gentleman referred to might have been a candidate for the PF before he was appointed DC and he might have lost, but not as badly as the Movement for Multi-party Democracy (MMD) lost in Nakonde, Chongwe and Msanzala.

Laughter 

Hon. PF Members: Hear, hear!

The Vice-President: Nonetheless, I do not see any reason for concern because he is a professional accountant who resigned from the PF when he was appointed. Therefore, I fail to see the relevance of the hon. Member’s case to the statement that I have given.

Thank you, Sir.

Hon. PF Members: Hear, hear!

Mr Deputy Speaker gave the Floor to Mr Lufuma.

Mr Lufuma (Kabompo West): I pass, Mr Speaker.

Mr Mwiimbu (Monze Central): Mr Speaker, I would like His Honour the Vice-President to confirm to this House and the nation at large that the Government of the Republic of Zambia, which is led by the PF, has changed its policy on the recruitment of DCs, considering that it made a statement on the Floor of this House that it was removing the MMD cadres so that it can appoint serving officers in the Public Service to be DCs.

The Vice-President: Sir, the policy has not changed. I have made our policy very clear. Maybe, I am growing old and a bit short on memory, …

Laughter

Interruptions

Mr Deputy Speaker: Order!

The Vice-President: … but I do not follow the questioner’s logic.

Sir, I thank you.

Mr Namulambe (Mpongwe): Mr Speaker, The Post Newspaper carried a story stating that the DC for Mpika was a cadre who was not suitably qualified for his position. Now, if the Civil Service is going to be run professionally, how is an unqualified person going to conduct the affairs of Mpika District, considering that the people under him are all qualified?

The Vice-President: Mr Speaker, I regret that I cannot respond to what is basically double hearsay based on a report in the abstract about a newspaper story that I did not read. I am sorry for that.

Thank you, Sir.

Dr Musokotwane (Liuwa): Mr Speaker, there is no doubt that His Honour the Vice-President stood in this House and assured the nation that the PF Government would not be employing party cadres as DCs. Like in so many other instances, they promised one thing and did the opposite. When will this Government ever say something that the public should trust because it seems to be changing its position every moment? When are those on your right going to be trusted?

Hon. Opposition Members: Hear, hear!

The Vice-President: Mr Speaker, I do not understand the thought that for somebody to be fit for an appointment to a job, one of the conditions is that he or she is nonpartisan, which is vitiated by the fact that, at some point, they were what the hon. questioner might call a cadre. I mean, the biography of the questioner, himself, is one of switching between professional service as a civil servant, a consultant at the Bank of Zambia (BOZ), to a cadre.

Hon. PF Members: Hear, hear!

The Vice-President: So, I do not understand what the problem is with regard to DCs. My statement did not say that the people that are appointed may not have been cadres at one point, or may not be supportive of a particular political party. It says that their actions under the Code of Conduct must be neutral. That is all.

Thank you, Sir.

Hon. PF Members: Hear, hear!

Mr Kampyongo (Shiwang’andu): Mr Speaker, in this House, I can see many hon. Members of Parliament who are former DCs and former Permanent Secretaries. May I know from His Honour the Vice-President whether it is really a problem to have it the other way round because people like Hon. Namulambe, Hon. Mulomba …

Interruptions 

Mr Deputy Speaker: Order!

Mr Kampyongo: The question is …

Mr Deputy Speaker: Order!

I think you have asked your question.

Mr Kampyongo: Mr Speaker, I need protection.

Mr Deputy Speaker: You are protected and your question was …

Mr Kampyongo: I know what is good for the goose …

Interruptions

Mr Kampyongo: May I know …

Mr Deputy Speaker: Order! 

You asked your question and His Honour the Vice-President is being called upon to answer.

The Vice-President: Mr Speaker, the saying is that ‘what is sauce for the goose’ - that is to say ndiyo to eat the female bird with - ‘is also sauce for the gander’, which is the male bird. Now, I do not actually subscribe to the belief that what is sauce for the goose is also sauce for the gander. I believe that the PF has brought a much more professional approach …

Hon. PF Members: Hear, hear!

The Vice-President: … to running the Government and we shall continue to do so. I know the questioner is my own hon. Member, but I do not subscribe to the notion of ‘Animal Farm’.

I thank you, Sir.

Ms Lubezhi (Namwala): Mr Speaker, does it mean that the only professionals who qualify for these offices are those who hold positions in the PF party structures?

The Vice-President: Mr Speaker, I do not have the knowledge of all the dozens of people who have been appointed. All I know is that the former Vice-President of the UNPD is now an Ambassador in the PF Government.

Hon. Government Members: Hear, hear!

The Vice-President: He is an Ambassador for Zambia. That is not the same thing as a District Commissioner; it is actually more senior, and I am sure that, if we examine the current list of District Commissioners, we will find many with histories of supporting and having membership of parties other than the PF. I am quite sure of that, Sir.

I thank you, Sir.

Professor Lungwangwa (Nalikwanda): Mr Speaker, is His Honour the Vice-President aware that the statement that he has just issued is in total contradiction to the statements he has been making about the need to recruit pro-PF cadres to the Civil Service?

The Vice-President: Mr Speaker, there is no need to recruit from the PF, as I have made very clear, but there is a need, also, not to discriminate against the PF on the grounds that one is afraid of criticism from the people who lost the elections.

I thank you, Sir.

Hon. Government Members: Hear, hear!{mospagebreak}

Mr Chisala (Chilubi): Mr Speaker, could the His Honour the Vice-President confirm that, during the MMD reign, we had more unqualified cadres than the handful that we have in the PF Government, and that ...

Laughter

Mr Deputy Speaker: Order! 

The hon. Member for Chilubi may continue.

Mr Chisala: Sir, could he confirm that, during the MMD regime, we had more cadres than the handful that are there today. This time, there are more qualified District Commissioners running the affairs of the districts.

Mr Deputy Speaker: Order! 

Let me guide the House. As much as I appreciate some of the questions, we should bear in mind that there are many people who want to ask questions. So, if you can be precise in your questions.

The Vice-President: Mr Speaker, I confirm, Sir.

Thank you, Sir.

Hon. Government Members: Boma.

Mr Hamudulu (Siavonga): Mr Speaker, His Honour the Vice-President is wondering whether he is growing old. Indeed, he is because he has already forgotten ...

Mr Deputy Speaker: What is your question?

Mr Hamudulu: Mr Speaker, professionalism cannot be spoken of in abstract. What kind of professionals ...

Mr H. Malama: On a point of order, Sir.

Mr Deputy Speaker: A point of order is raised.

Mr H. Malama: Mr Speaker, I rise on a very serious point of order. This House ought to know what is going on. During the 1315 hours news, today, we were told that the MMD has been deregistered. Now, are the hon. Members of Parliament who belong to the MMD in order to come in this House and sit without even the Leader ...

Interruptions

Mr Deputy Speaker: Order, order! 

In this House, when order is called for, the rule is that it should be observed. I think there is too much interference and, as a result, the Chair cannot hear anything. So, can there be order.

The hon. Member for Mfuwe may continue.

Mr H. Malama: Mr Speaker, are the hon. Members of Parliament who belonged to the MMD in order to be in this House when their political party, a club, is no longer a registered political party in Zambia? Are they really in order to occupy those seats? I need your serious ruling, Sir.

Hon. Government Members: Hear, hear!

Mr Deputy Speaker: The serious ruling is that the ruling is reserved for a later date.

The hon. Member for Siavonga may continue.

Mr Mwiimbu: On a point of order, Sir.

Mr Deputy Speaker: On who? No, no. The rules do not permit that.

The hon. Member for Siavonga may continue.

Mr Hamudulu: Mr Speaker, before ...

Mr Mwiimbu: On a point of order, Sir.

Mr Deputy Speaker:  A point of order is raised.

Mr Mwiimbu: Mr Speaker, following the point of order that was raised by the hon. Member of Parliament for Mfuwe, I would like to raise a serious point of order of my own. Is the Government in order to allow MMD hon. Ministers in their Government to continue being Ministers when they have deregistered the political party they belong to?

Hon. Opposition Members: Hear, hear!

Mr Deputy Speaker: Order! 

Hon. Members should keep quiet when the Speaker is on his feet. The ruling on the point of order that has been raised is also reserved for a later date.

The hon. Member for Siavonga may continue.

Mr Hamudulu: Mr Speaker, before I was interrupted, I was just saying professions can be enumerated. What kind and level of professionals are supposed to occupy the District Commissioners’ offices? 

The Vice-President: Mr Speaker, I am not aware of any firm guidelines on that matter.

Thank you, Sir.

Ms Siliya (Petauke): Mr Speaker, at no time did the MMD stop the PF from appointing DCs from within the PF ranks. However, it was the PF that told the nation that, as one of the achievements, ...

Mr Deputy Speaker: Order, order! 

The hon. Member for Petauke should zero in on the question.

Ms Siliya: ... that they would be appointing professional DCs. In this case, I did not get it from His Honour the Vice-President’s statement that there has, indeed, been a change of position from what they said in the first ninety days to what they are saying now? 

The Vice-President: Mr Speaker, that question has already been asked and I believe I have answered it.

Thank you, Sir.

Mr Mbulakulima (Chembe): Mr Speaker, the House should deal with matters of national interest in their proper perspective. Removing the District Commissioner ...

Mr Deputy Speaker: Order! 

Let me guide the House. The Chair has a problem in that, sometimes, hon. Members are making introductory remarks longer than the actual questions. Can the hon. Member for Chembe make his introductory remarks very brief and ask the question.

Mr Mbulakulima: Mr Speaker, is removing the District Commissioner of Ms Kalulu’s calibre and replacing her with the former PF District Chairperson what you call progress or good for Zambia?

The Vice-President: Mr Speaker, I cannot talk about the comparative merits of private individuals who have been named by the hon. Member, but are not in this House to defend themselves.

I thank you, Sir.

Mr Miyutu (Kalabo Central): Mr Speaker, has the Government taken any initiative to orient the newly-appointed DCs so that they become as neutral as stipulated in their conditions of service?

Hon. Government Members: Ema question aya!

The Vice-President: Mr Speaker, that is an intelligent question. The DCs are, at the very least, equipped with the Code of Ethics for the Public Service, which is very explicit and clear on how they should perform their duties.

I thank you, Sir.

Mr Muntanga (Kalomo Central): Mr Speaker, I would like to learn from His Honour the Vice-President which of his two statements I should laugh off as per his advice. Is it his statement that they will employ non-party cadres or that of his President, who said that party cadres shall be employed because and asked who would employ them if they the Government does not? 

The Vice-President: Mr Speaker, we are specifically discussing DCs and this problem that we have with the definition of a party cadre. Therefore, if I were Hon. Request Muntanga, I would try to entertain both statements in my head until I had clearly understood what they both meant.

I thank you, Sir.

Hon. Government Members: Hear, hear!

Mr Kaingu (Mwandi): Mr Speaker, what would you do to a DC who is found acting in a partisan manner?

The Vice-President: Mr Speaker, the appropriate action in the Disciplinary Code of the Civil Service would kick in and we would support it.

I thank you, Sir.

Mr Chishimba (Kamfinsa): Mr Speaker, can His Honour the Vice-President confirm to this House that the people appointed as DCs are Zambians, entitled to be employed in Zambia and qualify to hold those offices.

Hon. Government Members: Hear, hear!

Mr Deputy Speaker: It is such questions that the Chair wishes the House would try to avoid because they are self-explanatory. 

Hon. Opposition Members: Hear, hear!

Mr Deputy Speaker: Nonetheless, it is not the responsibility of the Chair to make a ruling regarding such issues.

Laughter

The Vice-President: Mr Speaker, as far as we are aware, all of the persons appointed as DCs qualify to be appointed.

I thank you, Sir.

Mr Muteteka (Chisamba): Mr Speaker, it appears that the appointments have been extended to diplomats, three quarters of whom have been recalled and replaced by known PF cadres. May I know the criteria they are using, bearing in mind the need for professionalism?

The Vice-President: Mr Speaker, we are now wandering outside the scope of my statement. I have no idea what percentage happens to be that of PF supporters and what percentage, which would include the former United Party for National Development (UPND) Vice-President, falls outside the scope of former PF supporters. I am afraid I cannot give an accurate numerical answer to that question.

I thank you, Sir.

Mr Monde (Itezhi-tezhi): Mr Speaker, I would like to find out when and where the advertisements for the appointment of the DCs were made since it is a position that falls under the Public Service Commission.

The Vice-President: Mr Speaker, again, we are wondering outside the scope of my statement.

Hon. Opposition Members: Aah!

The Vice-President: I do not know when they were done because it was not part of what I came to talk about. 

I thank you, Sir.

Mr Kakoma (Zambezi West): Mr Speaker, I have a very simple question for His Honour the Vice-President. What are the qualifications for a DC?

Laughter

The Vice-President: To be considered for appointment as a DC, the individual must satisfy the appointing authority that he or she is suitable for the job. The individual must also be a Zambian, adult, of sound mind and other qualifications. 

I thank you, Sir.

Ms Kalima (Kasenengwa): Mr Speaker, following the back-trotting that we have seen with the PF Government, where they say one thing one day and do another the next, can His Honour the Vice-President confirm that they now realise that running a Government by lip service is different from the practical service.

Hon. Members: Confirm!

The Vice-President: Mr Speaker, I confirm that.

I thank you, Sir.

Laughter

Mr Deputy Speaker: Order!

Mr Simbao (Senga Hill): Mr Speaker, I would like to know what has become of the recently-fired professional DCs. 

The Vice-President: Mr Speaker, I imagine some have gone into the private sector, others into business …

Laughter

The Vice-President: … and some have gone back to being cadres of the MMD. I should imagine a hundred and one things have happened to the former DCs.

I thank you, Sir.

Mr Ntundu (Gwembe): Mr Speaker, I want His Honour the Vice-President …

Mr Ntundu pointed at the Vice-President

Laughter

Mr Ntundu: … to be serious, for once, in answering questions in the House.

Mr Ntundu pointed at the Vice-President

Mr Ntundu: Can His Honour the Vice-President be serious.

Laughter

Mr Ntundu: When he was on the left of the House, if you recall very well …

Mr Deputy Speaker: What is your question?

Mr Ntundu: My question is …

Hon. Government Member: He does not know.

Laughter

Mr Ntundu: Mr Speaker, when he was on the left of the House, he was …

Hon. Government Members: Question!

Mr Ntundu: … agitating for the abolition of the office of the DC. Can I find out from him what the role of the DCs in the PF Government is.

Mr Mwila: On a point of order, Sir.

Mr Deputy Speaker: A point of order is raised.

Mr Mwila: Mr Speaker, I recall that the Chair had ruled that …

Hon. Opposition Members: What is your point of order?

Mr Deputy Speaker: Order!

Mr Mwila: Mr Speaker, is the hon. Member of Parliament for Gwembe in order to continue pointing at His Honour the Vice-President …

Mr Mwila demonstrated pointing at the Vice-President

Hon. Opposition Members: You are also pointing.

Laughter

Mr Mwila: … when the Chair had ruled that behaviour as being unparliamentary.

Hon. Government Member: Hear, hear!

Mr Deputy Speaker: Order! 

Seriously, when the Chair makes a ruling, hon. Members are expected to comply with it. However, sometimes, we may have to bear with some people because they have their own way of speaking. 

Hon. Government Members: Hear, hear! Long Live the Chair!

Mr Deputy Speaker: May the hon. Member continue, please.

Interruptions

Mr Deputy Speaker: Order, order! 

Mr Ntundu: Thank you, Sir.

Mr Deputy Speaker: No finger pointing.

Laughter

Mr Ntundu: Mr Speaker, can His Honour the Vice-President explain the role of DCs in the PF Government. The House would like to hear his explanation.

Hon. Opposition Members: Hear, hear!

The Vice-President: Mr Speaker, the proper role has not changed. It is co-ordination, administration, troubleshooting and such activities at the level of the district within the Government structure, not the local government structure. The PF does not entertain the appointment of DCs who take up illicit roles like the ones under the previous regime had of distributing pictures of the former President, who recently resigned from the position he had in his party, if at all that party still exists. 

I thank you, Sir.

INVESTMENTS IN-FLOWS

The Minister of Commerce, Trade and Industry (Mr Sichinga): Mr Speaker, it is my honour and privilege to deliver a ministerial statement on the status of investment in-flows into Zambia from September, 2011, when the PF Government took over the responsibility of running the affairs of our great nation.

Hon. Government Members: Hear, hear!

Mr Sichinga: Mr Speaker, as you may be aware, there has been a lot of interest and speculation by the public regarding the PF Government’s policy on foreign and domestic investment. Most of these speculations have been aroused by our political competitors to unduly tarnish our party policy on investment.

Hon. Government Members: Hear, hear!

Mr Sichinga: Sir, those who have been making speculations include some hon. Members of this august House. I wish to clear the air on this topical issue so that every Zambian understands our policy and gauges correctly our performance in the last six months with regard to attracting investment into Zambia.

Mr Speaker, may I reiterate the policy direction that was given by His Excellency, Mr Michael Chilufya Sata, during his inaugural speech that the PF Government embraces both domestic and foreign investment as one of the sustainable ways of creating jobs for our people, especially the youth. 

Sir, the Republican President, during his maiden address to the National Assembly, further made a commitment to accelerate business reforms for enhanced private sector development. In that connection, I wish to inform the public that the PF Government has not changed its position as far as promotion and attraction of investment is concerned, be it foreign or domestic. We, as the PF, do not have a preferred region or nation to invest in this country.

Mr Speaker, the PF Government has been in office less than six months and it would be justifiable to state that this has mostly been a transitional period. It is, therefore, an inadequate time to conclusively measure its impact, especially, on investment. However, even within this short period, it has been evident that, because of the Government’s stance against corruption, which was rampant in the previous Government, and the welcoming of all investors regardless of their nationality, the country has received unprecedented interest and inquiries for investment.

Hon. Government Members: Hear, hear!

Mr Sichinga: Clearly, Zambia is now globally viewed very favourably, especially, as an investment destination. Investment pledges increased in the last quarter of 2011 compared to the same period in 2010. Before you jeer, you should listen to the facts.

Mr Speaker, investment pledges increased by 69 per cent from US$459 million in December, 2010, to US$779 million in December, 2011. It also increased by 42 per cent from US$129 million in January, 2011, compared with US$192 million in January 2012. 

Sir, in December, 2011, the investment pledges were worth US$779 million. During the same period in 2010, the figure was US459 million. Anybody who understands simple mathematics can tell that there was a 69 per cent increase in 2011. 

Mr Speaker, this country has continued to generate significantly increased interest among both foreign and local investors. These include on-going projects that the PF Government took over from the previous administration. However, anybody who knows about investment knows that the gestation period is usually between one and three years. That is why I stated that the period involved would not be sufficient to gauge everything. However, I am sure that I have demonstrated, beyond any shadow of doubt, that investment pledges have increased. 

Mr Speaker, on-going projects include a thermal power plant by investors from Singapore in the energy sector, mineral exploration, which includes a ten-fold increase in exploration expenditure by Barrick Gold, the new Trident Mining Project by First Quantum Minerals, various industrial mineral projects by investors from Australia, China, India, Mauritius and the United States of America as well as local investors.

Laughter

Mr Sichinga: There are also joint venture housing projects involving the Chinese and local investors. The PF Government has continued to support the development of the Lusaka South Multi-facility Economic Zones (MFEZs) by the Zambia Development Agency (ZDA). Other notable planned investments are in the tourism sector, including the establishment of hotels by a Mauritian and local investors, establishment of an information communication technology (ICT) assembly plant by Zambian investors, a mineral processing plant by Chinese investors, a large-scale fish farming enterprise in Siavonga and the development of an ultra-modern academic and residential campus by Zambian investors. The foregoing projects and several others have been approved and granted investment certificates. 

Sir, the implementation of these projects, which often ranges between one and two years, has already commenced. More recently, during the visit to Australia for the Commonwealth Conference and Commonwealth Business Council meeting in October, last year, the Zambian delegation led by His Honour the Vice-President received some investment pledges after undertaking an investment promotional exercise. Pledges of investment in excess of A$5 billion were made.

Interruptions

Mr Sichinga: I emphasise, ‘A$5 billion’, for the benefit of those who were once hon. Ministers of Finance and National Planning and those who have claimed that we are not having any investments. 

Hon. Government Members: Hear, hear!

Mr Sichinga: Mr Speaker, Australian investors have visited this country twice since last year and have been in consultation with both the private sector and the Government. Further, my ministry, in conjunction with the ZDA, has planned four more investment promotion missions, including to the United Kingdom, Ireland, North and South America, mainland Europe, Asia and Australia. All these efforts will be made to attract new investment, which should culminate in increased foreign direct investment into the country. This will lead to the creation of jobs for the youths of our country, who supported and continued to support the PF Government because it is concerned about their plight, unlike the previous Government.

Hon. Government Members: Hear, hear!

Mr Sichinga: However, the results of these efforts will only be manifest much later during our tenure of office and well beyond. 

Mr Speaker, the Government is cognisant of the topical issue of job creation. Therefore, in 2012, it has planned a number of interventions through various economic agents. The general key interventions include the following activities:

(i)Focusing more on public and private investment in physical infrastructure;

(ii)targeting economic development and job creation through the planned establishment of industrial clusters in all the provinces, districts and selected constituencies of our country using resource endowments in each location;

(iii)the development of tertiary education, and technical and vocational training,  which is very important for budding entrepreneurs; to ensure that the curricular is relevant to and prepares our citizens and new entrants for the demands of economic activities;

(iv)packaging economic and community development projects in a manner that can harness and utilise the abundant resource endowment and labour supply at all skill levels;

(v)expanding capacity building and increased technical assistance to micro, small and medium enterprises that are carrying are engaged in various business activities to improve product and service quality, expand production and make business operations competitive while assuring increased jobs for SMEs. We seek to advance SMEs as an engine for national growth driven by citizens and youths; 

(vi)engaging the banking sector with a view to improve access to business finance as well as encourage the lower interest rates that have been witnessed in the immediate past. The base lending rates by commercial banks have gradually declined and we seek to continue to enhance the promotion and support to SMEs through increased reduction of interest levels. 

Mr Speaker, it is envisaged that these interventions will result in 150,000 direct and indirect jobs being created in the various sectors across the country in 2012. However, our target is to create not less than 1 million jobs by 2016.

Laughter

Mr Sichinga: Mr Speaker, under the PF Government, the manufacturing sector has continued to attract relatively higher levels of investment, ... 

Interruptions

Mr Deputy Speaker: Order! 

Let us consult quietly.

Mr Sichinga: … not only in the mining sector but, also, in other sectors. To maintain the momentum to increased investment in the manufacturing sector, the Government will continue to promote investment in Lusaka, Chambishi and Lumwana MFEZs besides the clusters that will come to your provinces, districts and constituencies. 

Mr Speaker, included on this list are industrial parks that are privately owned by Zambians. These include the Roma Park in Lusaka and the Sub-Sahara Park in Ndola, which was established within 180 days of the PF Government and has already connected a Zambian enterprise with Australian Investors who have pledged to invest more than A$3 billion in a new oil refinery and pipeline to Dar-Es-Salaam, an SME park, a dry port as well as housing. A new cement plant worth US$500 million is currently being constructed in Ndola by an African Investor from Nigeria. Therefore, no one should doubt the PF Government’s determination to see a vibrant manufacturing sector, which adequately supports the primary sectors of agriculture and mining. We seek to significantly increase value-addition to our primary commodities.

Mr Speaker, I wish to reaffirm our Government’s commitment to attracting additional investment in all sectors of the economy in order to create jobs for our people and put more money in their pockets and purses. 

Hon. Government Members: Hear, hear!{mospagebreak}

Mr Sichinga: Mr Speaker, given the facts that I have given, it would be mischievous and mere politicking for anyone, including former hon. Ministers of Government who are in this House, to give the false impression that, merely because they are no longer in power, investment in Zambia has dwindled. We should all learn to give credit where it is due.

Hon. Government Members: Hear, hear!

Mr Sichinga: Mr Speaker, such statements from members of the Opposition are irresponsible. Let me emphasise that the Government is very secure under the PF and the Presidency of Mr Sata, in whom Zambians have put their trust. It is time our colleagues in the Opposition got used to the fact that they messed up in their economic direction and that is why …

Interruptions

Mr Sichinga: … the people of Zambia removed them from office. 

Hon. Government Members: Hear, hear!

Mr Sichinga: Sir, the PF is fully in control, and responsibly so, and also knows how to run the economy competently. We, therefore, call for a more responsible Opposition that talks about verifiable facts rather than about platitudes. The elections are over and it is time to work and deliver to our people. There is no time to waste on sour grapes.

I thank you, Mr Speaker.

Hon. Government Members: Hear, hear!

Hon. Opposition Members indicated.

Mr Deputy Speaker: Order! 

I have not yet told you to indicate.

Laughter

Mr Deputy Speaker: I can see the inquisitiveness.

Laughter

Mr Deputy Speaker: Hon. Members are now free to ask questions on points of clarification on the ministerial statement given by the hon. Minister of Commerce, Trade and Industry.

Dr Musokotwane: Mr Speaker, I listened to the ministerial statement very carefully and I was hopeful that many new projects would be put on the table. Is the hon. Minister not aware that, in fact, more than 90 per cent of the projects that he has read out, including Pepsi, were actually initiated by the MMD and, therefore, the nation still awaits the new projects proposed by the PF?

Mr Sichinga: Mr Speaker, it is obvious that the questioner was not listening to my statement.

Interruptions

Mr Sichinga: Sir, I have stated very clearly that the gestation period of any project one is investing in is one to three years. If the questioner was listening, he would have heard that. I have also stated that there are a number of projects that have been taken over. At the same time, I have indicated, in a very clear stance, the new investments and I have given the figures, which I emphasised in my statement, showing how investments have increased in three months and compared the last quarter of 2011 to 2010. I have also given comparisons of the month of January, whose figures are available. If the former hon. Minister was listening, he would have understood what I stated. So, there is nothing new to talk about there other than to restate that there are many new projects. I have also talked about an investment of more than A$3 billion, which he has not acknowledged.

I thank you, Sir.

Mr Konga (Chavuma): Mr Speaker, is the hon. Minister aware that the ground-breaking ceremonies for the thermo power plant in Maamba and the Trident Mining Project in Solwezi were actually done by the previous administration? Are these new projects?

Interruptions

Mr Sichinga: Mr Speaker, I have stated that we are a very responsible Government. No sensible Government stops projects that are for the benefit of the country and this Government is very responsible. Any projects that were initiated by another Government, unless we find them contradictory to our policies, will be carried forward. The next Government, whenever it will be, will also carry on with investments that will have been approved by the PF Government. That is why I stated that we must give credit where it is due. That is, therefore, not a new question at all. I have already talked about that in my statement if you listened.

Mr Habeenzu (Chikankata): Mr Speaker, how many jobs have been created for the youths in Zambia so far?

Mr Sichinga: Mr Speaker, the hon. Member for Chikankata was not listening, too. 

Hon. Opposition Members: Aah!

Mr Sichinga: Mr Speaker, I repeat that our estimates for 2012 are that 150,000 direct and indirect jobs will be created. I further stated that we expect to create not less than a million jobs by 2016. Surely, this was sufficiently explained if you were listening. 

I thank you, Sir. 

Mr Namulambe: Mr Speaker, if investment in Zambia has been increasing in the past six months that the PF Government has been in office, why has Zambia been rated in the negative by the Fitch Rating?

Mr Sichinga: Mr Speaker, I cannot answer for those who did the rating, suffice to say that anybody who has been following the events in Zambia knows that my office has been overwhelmed by the number of people making appointments to propose investment projects. 

Mr Speaker, the figures that I talked about will be distributed to all hon. Members of this House. They will be put in your pigeon-holes tomorrow so that you verify for yourselves. If those who will care to read will still have questions, they can put them forward and I will answer them from this side. 

Mr Speaker, I thank you. 

Hon. Government Members: Hear, hear!

Mr Mutelo (Lukulu West): Mr Speaker, we heard of January to December, 2010. We also heard of January to December, 2011. Is the contribution of the MMD part of the January to December, 2011 achievements or not? 

Laughter

Mr Sichinga: Mr Speaker, it is not in my habit to belittle anyone. However, anyone who knows about the calendar will know that a year runs from January to December. I have dissected this particular period and specifically talked about the last quarter of 2011, during which the PF was in control. I also indicated the investments made in January, 2012, in comparison with what was invested in 2011. If the hon. Member of Parliament for Lukulu West was listening, he would have heard this. Clearly, he was not listening. 

Mr Speaker, I thank you. 

Mr Monde: Mr Speaker, the hon. Minister noted that the PF Government is encouraging all sectors of the economy to grow investment in-flow. I would like to find out how many public-private partnership (PPP) projects have been signed and approved from the time the PF took office. 

Mr Sichinga: Mr Speaker, my address was on investment in-flows to Zambia, not on PPPs. That does not fall under my ministry. 

Hon. Opposition Members: Aah!

Mr Sichinga: I would like to suggest that the hon. Member raises a question so that the hon. Minister of Finance and National Planning responds to it. It is not part of my jurisdiction. 

Mr Speaker, I thank you. 

Dr Kalila (Lukulu East): Mr Speaker, by his own admission, six months is a very short time to gauge investment in this country. If I were him, I would not have given this statement. 

Laughter

Dr Kalila: That said, out of the US$779 million, how much is committed investment?

Mr Sichinga: Mr Speaker, fortunately, I am not him. Therefore, my judgments are completely different. 

Laughter 

Mr Sichinga: Mr Speaker, the important thing to remember is that there have been statements made by both the general public and hon. Members of this House. The statement has been made in order to give factual statements. 

Mr Speaker, I have not only talked about latitudes, but also given facts. I am an accountant by training and I quote figures. Anybody who wants to question me must do so on the figures that I have provided to this House today and those we will provide tomorrow. If there are any further questions, they can be put to this House and we are capable of responding to them because we are capable of running this economy. 

Mr Speaker, I thank you. 

Hon. Government Members: Hear, hear!
    
Mr Mufalali (Senanga): Mr Speaker, having realised the importance of SMEs, which include the youth, is the hon. Minister thinking of going back to the President to tell him that he misled him over the Citizens Economic Empowerment Fund (CEEF)? 

Mr Sichinga: Mr Speaker, I am yet to make a statement on the CEEF. I, therefore, do not know where the hon. Member of Parliament for Senanga gets his information from. 

Sir, I further wish to say that it is not now that I have realised the importance of SMEs. That is why I talked about value addition. This Government has always realised this and that is why it is implementing programmes, according to its manifesto, which are based on value addition, especially driven by the SMEs. When you read the statistics that we will give you tomorrow, you will find that most jobs are not created by big companies, but by smaller ones. Fortunately, this particular hon. Minister has read enough economics and accountancy to be able to answer all those questions regarding how jobs are created. 

Thank you, Sir.

Hon. Government Members: Hear, hear!

Mr Kakoma: Mr Speaker, the hon. Minister’s statement is based on his worries about investment in-flows and investor confidence in this economy. Is he aware that some investors he has talked about are actually sitting on the fence waiting to see what will happen next because they are worried about the policy direction that this Government is taking and where it is taking us? 

Mr Sichinga: Mr Speaker, I do not know where the hon. Member gets his facts from. 

Hon. Opposition Members: Aah!

Mr Sichinga: Mr Speaker, I gave the figures that show an increase in investment. My concern, at the moment, is how this Government will handle investors who are coming, not only in terms of direct and private investment but, also, through the PPPs. We are overwhelmed by this. We are not worried and the issue of confidence does not even arise. 

Hon. Government Members: Hear, hear!

Mr Sichinga: This is why I appealed to you to wait for the figures to be provided tomorrow because you will see a change. 

Mr Speaker, let me also say that I am not aware of the investors who are sitting on the fence, yet I am the hon. Minister in charge. However, if Hon. Kakoma has more information than I do, let him produce it so that we can compare notes. 

Sir, our position is that we receive and attract investment from all directions. However, our people must also participate in what we are doing. This is why we are doing what we can to encourage local investment. In fact, the figures that will be given to you will show that, in 2007, there was more investment coming from within the country. Therefore, we know that there are resources that can be tapped even at the local level. As I explained earlier, it takes a number of years for some of the projects to come to fruition. Therefore, it is difficult to say that because an investment was done in a particular month, it will materialise and actualise in the following month. It does not work like that. This is why I came to this House to inform hon. Members and the nation what is taking place. 

Mr Speaker, I thank you. 

Ms Siliya: Mr Speaker, I hope that my dear friend will give me a friendly answer following my question. 

Mr Speaker, in response to one of the supplementary questions, the hon. Minister stated that he understands economics and accountancy very well. I am sure that, in this regard, he appreciates …

Hon. Government Members: Question!

Mr Deputy Speaker: Order!

Ms Siliya: …that asset value is not driven only by fundamentals but, also, perception. He also stated that, in the last …

Mr Deputy Speaker: Order!

Hon. Member, I allowed you to make your introductory statement, but it is becoming too long. Can you ask your question?

Ms Siliya: Mr Speaker, my question is: How are we to believe the hon. Minister’s statement that there will be investment coming to this country, and that it will not just end with his globe-trotting and having many meetings, when the country has been perceived by institutions like Blumberg Capital and Fitch Rating to be negative and an unstable environment to invest in? How are we to believe his statement? 
 
Mr Sichinga: Mr Speaker, to see is to believe. The investment is already here. My dear friend, I am very friendly in my answers to everybody. If you cared to read what is taking place in this country in the newspapers, you would have known that I was in Ndola inaugurating a A$3 billion investment in the Sub-Saharan Industrial Park involving a new oil refinery as well as the Multi-Facility Economic Zone (MFEZ) that is going on in Ndola, which was not an MMD initiative. Therefore, you had better believe what you see because it has already started to be fulfilled.

Interruptions

Mr Sichinga: I would like to think that I am being very friendly, but not too much so because I do not want to get involved in the issues that were shown in advertisements during the elections.

I thank you, Mr Speaker.

Hon. Government Members: Hear, hear!

Lieutenant-General Shikapwasha (Keembe): Mr Speaker, …

Interruptions

Mr Deputy Speaker: Order!

Lieutenant-General Shikapwasha: … can the hon. Minister confirm that this increase of investor interest in Zambia is a result of the foundation that was laid by the MMD Government having achieved a B-plus rating in the world. 

Mr Sichinga: I am sorry, Mr Speaker, I am not able to confirm that. What I can confirm is what this Government is dealing with.

Hon. Government Members: Hear, hear!

Mr Sichinga: What we are dealing with shows that there is an increase in investments. However, any responsible Government, Mr Speaker, assumes whatever the previous Government did for as long as it is compatible with its manifesto and policies.

Hon. Government Members: Hear, hear!

Mr Sichinga: Therefore, we will not, like the MMD did against UNIP, discard everything. Everything is on the table and we are going to look at it in a fair and cogitated manner.

Hon. Government Members: Hear, hear!

Mr Sichinga: We will not dispose of anything, but build on whatever foundation is strong. Where the foundation is weak, we will strengthen it and make sure that this country develops. This is the position of the PF.

I thank you, Sir.

Hon. Government Members: Hear, hear!

Ms Imenda (Luena): Thank you, Mr Speaker, …

Mr Deputy Speaker: Order, order!

Hon. Members must realise that I try as much as possible to permit those who have not asked questions to do so. I know that you all want to ask questions, but bear with me. I need to give an opportunity to those who have not asked yet. So, you will be permitted to ask questions in due course.

May the hon. Member of Parliament for Luena continue, please.

Ms Imenda: Mr Speaker, could the hon. Minister tell this House how much of those investment in-flows that he has mentioned, which started from 20th September, 2011, is due to pledges made in the previous Governemnt.

Mr Sichinga: Mr Speaker, that question has been responded to. My good friend, the hon. Member of Parliament for Luena, knows very well that I have repeatedly said that we will continue with whatever constructive initiatives that were being made by others. However, this Government is accountable for what we do during our tenure of office.

Hon. Government Members: Hear, hear!

Mr Sichinga: That is why I have given my dear friend, the hon. Member of Parliament for Luena, statistics that relate to our period. Our calendar and financial period for the Government is up to December. I have given you the figures for the whole year and for the quarter for which the PF Government was responsible. Therefore, there will be some investment that will come in that were carried over from the past.

Sir, let me explain to the House so that we understand. When an investor comes into the country, they go to the ZDA where we issue them what are called Investment Protection and Promotion Agreements (IPPAs), which are investment agreements that are entered into with the investor. In that document, the investor indicates what he is going to invest and what he is going to expect to achieve at the end of the day. However, some of the projected outcomes will not be realised until much later. There may have been commitments in the past that were not actualised because some, like my colleague, the hon. Member of Parliament for Zambezi West, said, people were sitting on the fence, not knowing whether the MMD would return to power or not. When they discovered that the PF had come into power, there was an avalanche. There was an inflow of people wanting to make investments. That is what I can account for.

I thank you, Mr Speaker.

Hon. Government Members: Boma! Boma!

Mr Mbulakulima: Mr Speaker, this question is on behalf of the people of Kalulushi and Chambishi. Besides the Chambishi Multi-Facility Economic Zone and the Chambishi West Ore Body, what new hope is there for the people of the area under the PF leadership with regard to the in-flows?

Interruptions

Mr Sichinga: Mr Speaker, …

Hon. Government Members: Nga baku Chembe, iwe?

Interruptions

Mr Deputy Speaker: Order!

Hold on, hon. Minister. Can the hon. Members seated behind the hon. Minister give him the chance to answer properly?

Hon. Minister, you may continue.

Mr Sichinga: Thank you, Sir. The essence of facilitating all this investment is not to come here and start justifying ourselves, but to address the concerns of our people in creating jobs and adding value. In as far as the places where these MFEZs have been located, Chambishi, Lumwana, Lusaka and the others that will follow, under the PF Government, according to our programme and manifesto, all the people who are in those localities will benefit. The MFEZs will provide employment and value addition.

Mr Mbulakulima: Answer the question!

Mr Sichinga: That is what I am responding to. You have talked about investments and I have responded to you. You have specifically asked about Chambishi, but I do not know why you are not asking about Chembe, which is what your concern should be.

Hon. Government Members: Hear, hear!

Mr Sichinga: And I am saying to you …

Mr Deputy Speaker: Order, order!

The Chair will not allow dialogue between the hon. Minister and the hon. Member of Parliament for Chembe. Can you address the Chair.

Dr Phiri: Mbulakulima deserves it!

Mr Sichinga: Mr Speaker, I am quite keen to address the Chair so long as I am not receiving comments from the person whose …

Mr Deputy Speaker: Order!

A ruling has been made. Can the hon. Minister address the Chair.

Mr Sichinga: Yes, Sir.

I was saying that the people who live around Chambishi, Kalulushi, Lumwana and those who live in Chembe, through the clusters that the PF Government will create, will benefit from employment creation, value addition and more money in their pockets.

I thank you, Sir.

Hon. Government Members: Hear, hear!

Mr Livune (Katombola): Mr Speaker, arising from the statement by the hon. Minister that there are so many dollars coming into the country against our low-value kwacha, when does he expect our currency to appreciate?

Mr Sichinga: Mr Speaker, as soon as we all work together to protect the national interest instead of making platitudes, the currency of the country will obviously appreciate. Not only that, if there is a specific issue that the hon. Member needs to raise on investments that are coming into the country under the PPP or on the exchange rate, that question can be brought to the House at a later date and the hon. Minister of Finance and National Planning, who is sitting very close to me, is quite capable of answering it.

Hon. Government Members: Hear, hear!

Mr Sichinga: My jurisdiction is covers industries. That is what my statement was about.

I thank you, Mr Speaker. 

Hon. Government Members: Hear, hear!

Mr Simbao: Mr Speaker, I just want to know why this good outlook of the economy given to us today is inversely proportional to the rate of the kwacha.

Mr Sichinga: Mr Speaker, what the hon. Member seems to imply is that we should not make investments because we want the kwacha to appreciate.

Hon. MMD Members: Aah, no!

Mr Sichinga: Surely, that is contradictory to the principles of economics. There are other factors at play beyond investment. Some factors are even way beyond our country, such as the situation in Greece and Europe in general. Not only that, there are also …

Ms Siliya interjected.

Mr Sichinga: Mr Speaker, may I be allowed to respond because my colleague from Petauke is making running commentaries.

Mr Deputy Speaker: Yes, I agree with you. The hon. Member on my left, please, give him a chance to respond.

Interruptions

Mr Sichinga: Sir, I am trying to answer the hon. Member of Parliament for Senga Hill that there is no direct relationship between an exchange rate and the investment that is taking place because the in-flows do not come at the same time. I have explained that from the initiation stage, there is a gestation period. In case you do not know what a gestation period is, it is what we call the delay factor.

Mr Mwila: Hear, hear!

Mr Sichinga: The delay factor can come into the picture and some of the investments and pledges that are made are not actualised immediately. So, in case there are any issues that some do not understand, I will conduct lessons in Economics and Accounting.

I thank you, Sir.

Hon. Government Members: Hear, hear!

Mr Hamudulu: Mr Speaker, first of all, I would like to thank the hon. Minister for delivering that statement very well. He is one of the very few hon. Ministers to deliver a statement like this one. However, I do not agree with him that he is being friendly in answering.

Mr Deputy Speaker: Can you ask your question?

Mr Hamudulu:  Sir, now that the hon. Minister is agreeing with us on this side that ninety days is not an adequate period in which to make an impact, economically, can he then agree that those who treated us to a ninety-days song were mere liars and dreamers.

Mr Deputy Speaker: Order!

Interruptions

Mr Deputy Speaker: Order! 

There shall be order in the House! I cannot allow hon. Members to talk as if they are outside the House. Hon. Member, the word ‘liars’ is unparliamentary. Can you withdraw it and use a different one.

Mr Hamudulu: I am much obliged, Sir. I am sorry and will replace it with ‘deceivers’. I hope that it is acceptable.

Mr Sichinga: Sir, firstly, let me thank the hon. Member of Parliament for Siavonga for his compliment; secondly, I am not unfriendly; and thirdly, I did not say that you cannot gauge economic impact within this period. I said that you cannot talk about full implementation of all planned programmes within that period. I hope that clarifies what I meant. Having said that, I also want to say that the commitments that the PF undertook from the beginning still stand. We had said that, within ninety days, there will be some programmes that would be initiated and implemented, and that has been done. 

Hon. PF Members: Hear, hear!

Mr Sichinga: We did not say that we will stop at ninety days because our tenure of office goes beyond that period. We said that we would gauge ourselves every ninety days. We are doing just that and will continue to report to this House. Therefore, there was no deception of any kind and I will continue to come to this House and provide further information as more and more of it becomes available. 

Mr Speaker, with the systems that the PF Government is putting in place, we will provide information on a timely basis, unlike the previous governments. Therefore, hon. Members of Parliament will be privileged to receive this information. There is nothing for us to hide. Rather, we have everything to be proud of because we are doing very well. Hon. Members will see the economic impact of what we are doing within one to three years’ time as I stated in my statement.

I thank you, Sir.

Hon. PF Members: Hear, hear!{mospagebreak}

Mr Kapyanga (Kabwe Central): Mr Speaker, the Movement for Multi-party Democracy (MMD) Government is responsible for the collapse of the textile industry in this country. What is the Government, through the Ministry of Commerce, Trade and Industry, doing …

Interruptions

Mr Deputy Speaker: Order! 

Much as the Chair appreciates the desire by hon. Members to assist, I think it is only in order that you leave it to the Chair to guide the proceedings because you have empowered the Chair to do so. Do not take it upon yourselves to usurp the powers of the Chair. Much as I appreciate your assistance, I think you had better keep calm.

Can the hon. Member continue.

Mr Kapyanga: Mr Speaker, the MMD made the textile industry collapse …

Mr Nkombo: On a point of order, Sir.

Mr Deputy Speaker: A point of order is raised.

Mr Nkombo: Mr Speaker, I want to quickly apologise to my colleague, the hon. Member of Parliament for Kabwe Central, for interrupting his question. However, I am left with no option, but to raise this point of order on the PF Government, in particular, the hon. Minister of Agriculture and Livestock and the hon. Minister of Commerce, Trade and Industry. This is in light of today’s Zambia Daily Mail newspaper dated 14th March, 2012, which had the screaming headline, “Beware Chicken Lovers, Thousands of Poultry Jobs at Risk.” 

Sir, in this country, we have seen many local industries collapse, such as the textile industry and many others that I do not have the time to itemise. Allow me, before I raise my point of order, to go through a press statement and collect a few excerpts from there. This will make the House appreciate that we are sitting on a cliff edge regarding jobs of our people and the continuous dumping of finished products from other countries into ours. This may also be in direct conflict with our laws, which include the Citizens Economic Empowerment Commission Act No. 9 of 2006 as well as the Bio-safety Act of 2007, from which I will take a few quotations.

Mr Deputy Speaker: Order! 

That is not right. The Chair advises that, after your short preliminaries, you ask your point of order. I do not want that point of order to generate into a statement. 

Mr Nkombo: I am humbled by your guidance, Mr Speaker. The thrust of the matter, however, is contained in the documents I have with me. I will simply lay the two documents that I have referred to on the Table. I will not quote from them but, in order for me to get the satisfaction of having addressed the matter, and in line with your guidance, allow me to simply give one or two statistics that will help me to make the House appreciate what I am saying. 

Sir, the Zambia National Farmers Union (ZNFU) issued a statement on how extremely saddened its members were by the unilateral decision taken by some officials in the Ministry of Agriculture and Livestock to issue a permit to Shoprite Checkers and Game Stores to import chickens from South Africa at a time the Zambian poultry industry is showing very strong signs of growth and recovery from many years of recession.

I would like to quickly say that the statistics are that, in the last two years, from 18 million chicks, we have reached 43 million from …

Mr Deputy Speaker: Order! 

Much as I appreciate the background details, I think I get the gist of your argument. Can you, in the light of what you have said, ask your point of order.

Mr Nkombo: Sir, my point of order arises from the fact that many retirees have taken their children to school using money earned from their poultry businesses and that is a fact. Is the Government, therefore, in order to permit Game Stores, trading as Wal-Mart, as well as Shoprite Checkers to import chickens from South Africa? We have information that South Africa cannot even satisfy its local demand for chickens. There is also proof that South Africa imports chickens from Brazil, which does not have restrictions on Genetically Modified Foods (GMF). The two documents I will lay on the Table …

Mr Deputy Speaker: Order!

 I am sorry. Maybe, I should have waited. I thought you were continuing. Lay your two documents on the Table and I will make a ruling.

Interruptions

Mr Nkombo: Mr Speaker, I will go ahead according to your counsel and lay the documents on the Table. However, is the Government in order to allow the importation of chickens, thereby rendering many poultry farmers and people who depend on this business redundant without allowing them to supply these multinational traders that have been allowed in this country? Sir, I beg your serious ruling on the matter and I shall lay on the Table, not only the two documents but, also include the newspaper of today for your consideration as you make your ruling. 

Mr Nkombo laid the papers on the Table.

Mr Deputy Speaker: The information that the Chair has, in ruling on that point of order, is that the hon. Minister of Agriculture and Livestock will be making a ministerial statement tomorrow. Therefore, let us wait until then.

Can the hon. Member, who asking a question before the point of order continue.

Mr Kapyanga: Mr Speaker, what is the Government, through the Ministry of Commerce, Trade and Industry, doing to revamp the textile industry, which collapsed during the MMD era?

Mr Sichinga: Mr Speaker, I did not address the House on the textile industry, but I am quite keen ...

Interruptions

Mr Deputy Speaker: Order! 

He is addressing the Chair. 

Mr Sichinga: ... I am quite happy to give a response because it is important that we put things in perspective. The questioner has made the point, and validly so, that the textile industry has been brought to its knees by the immediate past Government. 

Hon. Government Members: Hear, hear!

Mr Sichinga: It is our duty, Sir, to clean up.  Therefore, my ministry has taken up the matter not only of the textile industry, but has also gone to the value and production chains. We have invited officials responsible for this to our offices and have already held four meetings. The hon. Deputy Minister of Commerce, Trade and Industry is ably chairing the meetings. The cotton producers, spinners, textile manufacturers and garment producers have been brought on board. In fact, there is a meeting that will take place again tomorrow to address this issue. It is a matter of great concern when industries are brought to their knees like what the former Government did.

Hon. Government Members: Hear, hear!

Mr Sichinga: This is why I have stated that this is a very responsible Government, which is quite capable of managing the economic affairs of this country, but the damage that has been done is severe. Therefore, it will take us some time to bring things back to their normal levels. However, I assure the House that we will normalise things.

I thank you, Sir.

Hon. Government Members: Hear, hear!

REORGANISATION OF THE CITIZENS ECONOMIC EMPOWERMENT COMMISSION

Mr Sichinga: Mr Speaker, I thank you for giving me the opportunity to make a second ministerial statement. This ministerial statement is necessary because a number of people, including hon. Members of this august House, have been making queries regarding the status of the Citizens Economic Empowerment Commission (CEEC), which was created by this House under Act No. 9 of 2006.

Mr Speaker, the queries and petitions that have been received from a majority of our people have been in relation to the operations of the CEEC, in particular, the empowerment fund. It has, therefore, become imperative to explain and clarify to this nation, through this House, the numerous issues affecting the organisation. We also recognise that a substantial number of today’s hon. Members of Parliament may not be fully aware of the provisions of the law on the CEEC. It is this law that gave rise to the CEEC. So, let me give a bit of background, beginning with how the institution came about.

Sir, arising from the privatisation programme of the 1990s and the subsequent economic changes and transformation of the country, it was evident that the citizens of this country were being sidelined and were not fully participating, in a meaningful manner, in the economic affairs of the country. It is clear, also, that the major factors that contributed to this situation were identified, and included the following, amongst many:

(i)Lack of entrepreneurial skills amongst young citizens;

(ii)lack of business opportunities for Government business;

(iii)unfavourable conditions and competition from external players;

(iv)inaccessibility of investment capital for Zambians;

(v)high cost of interest on loans when they can be accessed; and

(vi)historical marginalisation, either through poor schooling, lack of skills training or inadequate social facilities.

Mr Deputy Speaker: Order!

Business was suspended from 1615 hours until 1630 hours.

[THE DEPUTY CHAIRPERSON OF COMMITTEES in the Chair]

Mr Sichinga: Mr Speaker, when business was suspended, I had just started giving the House the background to the creation and challenges of the Citizens Economic Empowerment Commission as well as the Citizens Economic Empowerment Fund (CEEF).

In view of the constraints mentioned, the Government of the day decided to consider alternative options for economic development and this led to the development of a policy along the South African Black Economic Empowerment model, which culminated in the enactment of the Citizens Economic Empowerment Commission Act, National Assembly Act No. 9 of 2006, which is the foundation on which the creation of the CEEC, the empowerment fund and the nine pillars of empowerment, including focusing on targeted citizens through an integrated broad-based strategy elaborated in the nine empowerment pillars, rest. Given that brief background, let me brief the House on the current scenario. 

Sir, the public might wish to recall that, on 6th February, 2012, the Ministry of Commerce, Trade and Industry held a press briefing at which I made talked about the operations of the CEEC. At the same press briefing, I announced to the nation the measures that the Government was taking in order to salvage the operations of the CEEC.

Sir, to date, the commission has received 4,933 applications which, collectively, were demanded in excess of K800 billion. This is against a budget received from the national Treasury, of K218 billion in installments. I want to emphasise that there was a demand for about K800 billion from the 4, 933 applications. So far, the Government has provided K218 billion.

Sir, currently, the CEEC has approved 1,620 projects, which were collectively valued at K218 billion. However, of that amount, only K169 billion has been disbursed to the approved 1,427 projects. This, therefore, leaves a funding gap of, approximately, K50 billion for the 193 projects that have not yet been funded. Furthermore, there is an estimated demand gap of 3,310 projects that require in excess of K568 billion. 

Mr Speaker, despite having disbursed K169 billion against K218 billion, the recovery rate on the existing loan portfolio is only at 42 per cent. In other words, the operation of this loan portfolio is only performing at 42 per cent, which is poor performance. This has led to a serious financing deficit. 

Sir, I summarise the loan portfolio below and this document will be made available to hon. Members who may, later, want to review it. 

Breakdown of Loan Disbursement by the CEEC by 31st December, 2011

Description    No    Percentage    Value (K’ Bn)    Percentage

Total Loans Granted    1560    89%    218    82%    

Performing Loans    784    50.2%    97.7    49%

Non-Performing Loans    698    44.5%    103.2    51.4%

Loans Granted throughout the    974    68%    20.4    12%
Provinces

Loans above K3.0 Bn    2    0.14%    7.2    4.1%

Loans K2.0-K3.0 Bn    18    1%    36.2    18%

Loans K1.0-K2.0 Bn    34    2%    47.3    24%

Loans K500m-K1.0 Bn    46    3%    29.6     15%

Loans K100m-K500m    246    16%    68.3    34%

Unsecured Loans up to K50m    1193    76%    30    15%

Approved but unfunded Loans    201    11%    32.5    13%
       
Budget for 2012    223        47    

Source: Citizens Economic Empowerment Commission (CEEC)

Mr Speaker, it will be noted from the foregoing information that:

(a)This information is from the inception of the loan disbursement to date; and

(b)the information that we have given is as it stood on 31st December, 2011.
    
Mr Speaker, it is in this regard that I now wish to report to this august House the status of the drastic measures that the Government has inevitably had to institute in order to salvage this desperate situation of only 42 per cent of the loans performing:

(a)The Ministry of Finance and National Planning has suspended funding to the CEEC in relation to the empowerment fund until the review process is completed;

(b)the CEEC has stopped receiving new applications until this process has been completed;

(c)the Ministry Commerce Trade and Industry requested the CEEC to publish in both private and public media the names of all the beneficiaries of the empowerment fund since the CEEC began its operations;

(d)the CEEC has started a nationwide debt collection in order to collect all funds that are outstanding and, where necessary, to institute legal proceedings against defaulters;

(e)the CEEC has started re-assessing the approved, but not yet funded projects to see if they remain viable;

(f)the Office of the Auditor–General has been invited to carry out a forensic audit of how money was disbursed and whether it was done correctly; and

(g)we have invited the Anti-Corruption Commission to ascertain the allegations of corruption in the management of loans. The information that my ministry has is that officers at the CEEC were demanding to be paid before they could release cheques to applicants. In the PF Government, this is unacceptable.

Hon. Government Members: Hear, hear!

Mr Sichinga: Mr Speaker, it is the Government’s desire to see a reorganised and revamped CEEC, which will be able to fulfil its mandate of using the public funds that are made available to it effectively, efficiently as well as profitably. We also want to see a return to normal operations in the shortest possible time wherever this is possible. However, given the nature of a forensic audit as well as a review of any corruption allegations, we do not expect this process to take less than three months.

Mr Speaker, the question then arises as to what the way forward is. We intend reorganise and strengthen the management and also introduce a business system in the CEEC that will ensure that only viable projects can be approved. We have also taken the following other measures in order to ensure that the process is operationalised:

(i)    To capacitate the management so that it is able to significantly enhance its loan evaluation and management system;

(ii)the board has been asked to fill all the vacancies;

(iii)the regional management in the provinces will have to be enhanced by being given appropriate management authority;
(iv)the entire management structure, including the Board of Directors, will be strengthened and ensure that it operates in a business-like and non-partisan manner. The latter part is emphasised;

(v)the CEEC is expected to refocus on other empowerment pillars so that it can go beyond just providing an empowerment fund. I mentioned, at the beginning, that the CEEC, besides providing empowerment funds, has nine pillars upon which its work is supposed to be premised on;

(vi)the fund is currently working on amendments to enhance the effectiveness of the institution as well as the law that supports the existence of the CEEC; and

(vii)within the Government, we are consulting with other ministries and agencies on how co-ordination and co-operation can be further enhanced with regard to the management of projects that we need to put in place.
Mr Speaker, it is, therefore, our expectation that, once the foregoing measures have been fully implemented, the CEEC shall be enabled to fulfil its original mandate of ensuring the empowerment of marginalised Zambians, particularly, the women, the youth as well as the disadvantaged groups.

Sir, we wish to invite hon. Members of this august House to assist our ministry by accurately explaining to the citizens of this country in their respective constituencies on the dilemma that the PF inherited from the previous Government regarding the operations of the CEEC. The hon. Members should also inform the people about the concrete steps that are being taken in order to correct the situation and quickly bring about an improved and normalised situation.

Mr Speaker, I will be providing all hon. Members with a list of loans that have been given to people in their constituencies tomorrow, 15th March, 2012. 

Sir, let me conclude by expressing my sincere hope that this information will be of value to the hon. Members of this House in their efforts to explain the correct position with regard to the CEEC.

Mr Speaker, I thank you.

Hon. Government Members: Hear, hear!

QUESTIONS FOR ORAL ANSWER

CONSTRUCTION OF CHINGOLA/SOLWEZI RAILWAY LINE

199. Mr Mwanza (Solwezi West) asked the hon. Minister of Transport, Works, Supply and Communication:

(a)when a railway line between Chingola and Solwezi would be constructed; and

(b)what the estimated timeframe for the project was.

The Deputy Minister of Transport, Works, Supply and Communication (Mr Mwenya): Mr Speaker, the construction of a railway line between Chingola and Solwezi will commence as soon as the revised environmental impact assessment (EIA) is approved by the Zambia Environmental Management Authority (ZEMA).

Sir, the revision of the EIA was necessitated after the initial licence granted to the North-West Rail Company to construct the railway line was terminated in 2008. The licence was later restored in 2011 and, due to the passage of time, it was prudent that a fresh EIA be conducted.

Mr Speaker, the estimated project timeframe is about five years.

I thank you, Sir.

Mr Mwanza: Mr Speaker, I would like to find out whether Mr Kavindele is still the one behind the project.

Mr Mwenya: Mr Speaker, indeed, Mr Kavindele is the one who has the intention to construct the railway line. He is still very enthusiastic about carrying on with the project.

I thank you, Sir.

Mr Mwiimbu (Monze Central): Mr Speaker, I appreciate that …

Mr Mwanza left the Assembly Chamber.

Mr Chisala: On a point of order, Sir.

The Deputy Chairperson: A point of order is raised.

Mr Chisala: Mr Speaker, I rise on a very serious point of order regarding the hon. Member of Parliament who is walking out of the House. Many are the times you have guided this august House, according to the Members Handbook, Chapter 5, Page 25, which states that, “The rules and procedures of the House shall never be overlooked.”

Sir, is the hon. Member who has just stormed out of the House in order to come to this Chamber in a corduroy jacket. I seek your serious ruling.

Interruptions

Mr Deputy Chairperson: Order! 

The serious ruling is that the hon. Member is in order. May the hon. Member for Monze Central continue.

Hon. Opposition Members: Hear, hear!

Mr Mwiimbu: Mr Speaker, I would like to know whether it is prudent to embark on new projects when the railway system in Zambia, from Livingstone to the Copperbelt and Kapiri-Mposhi to Nakonde, has collapsed. What measures is the Government putting in place to ensure that it revamps the railway system in Zambia, which is rated as one of the worst in the world?

Mr Mwenya: Mr Speaker, I agree with the hon. Member that the railway system in the country is not doing well. The PF Government has taken note of that and is taking serious steps to address the pathetic situation. However, that cannot stop private entrepreneurs within the country from embarking on the construction of new railway lines.

I thank you, Sir.

Mr Kampyongo (Shiwang’andu): Mr Speaker, I remember Mr Kavindele, at one time, complaining that he was not getting the desired co-operation from the mining companies in the province with regard to some undertakings that would help him speed up the project. May I know if Hon. Kavindele has been given a favourable response from these mining companies in recent times.

Mr Mwenya: Mr Speaker, whatever discussions that Mr Kavindele enters into with these mining companies are private. We are not involved in them. Our interest is to see him begin working on the railway line as he has promised. In fact, I would like to mention that Mr Kavindele has given us the assurance that the funds are available and that he is only waiting for the EIA to be approved.

I thank you, Sir.

Dr Musokotwane (Liuwa): Mr Speaker, this House has heard so many times that the road infrastructure will be subjected to a lot of pressure because of the expanding mining sector. In the event that the current promoter, for one reason or another, does not proceed with this project, what is the contingency plan to get this piece of infrastructure developed?

Mr Mwenya: Mr Speaker, it is a well-known fact that our Republican President and the PF are passionate about improving the railway system in the country. Therefore, if the current investor fails to construct the railway line, the Government will sit and consider other options. The most important point to note is that it is a very important railway line that has to be constructed.

I thank you, Mr Speaker.

Mr Mooya (Moomba): Mr Speaker, five years is too long and the road is getting damaged. How many investors competed for this project? I believe that, if they were many, the five-year period would have been shortened.

Mr Mwenya: Mr Speaker, indeed, there were other firms that showed interest, such as the Trans-Zambezi Corporation which, unfortunately, could not begin working on the project because of financial constraints. For now, we are only looking at Mr Kavindele and, as the Government, we are monitoring his progress. The five-year period we are talking about is the period that can be taken to construct the railway line. What we are trying to do is to see to it that Mr Kavindele does not continue skirting around as others before him have been doing. We are a very serious Government that wants to see this project take off.

I thank you, Sir.

Hon. Government Members: Hear, hear!

Mr Chipungu (Rufunsa): Mr Speaker, this is a very big project to be undertaken by an individual. Does the Government intend to partner with Mr Kavindele in order to speed it up?

Mr Mwenya: Mr Speaker, currently, the Government has not entered into any partnership arrangement with Mr Kavindele. As far as we know, Mr Kavindele has already shown the willingness to carry on with the project with the partners he has engaged. If he wishes to engage the Government, we shall be ready to sit and talk.

I thank you, Sir.

Mr Chilangwa (Kawambwa): Mr Speaker, it is good to hear from the hon. Minister talk about North-West Rail Company. Not so long ago, there was a President well known for flying around, who invited somebody else from across the border to come to Zambia to commission a railway line in Eastern Province. I have reliable information that the railway line is now a white elephant. What is the ministry doing to operationalise the railway line I am referring to?

Mr Mwenya: Mr Speaker, indeed, there is that railway line in Eastern Province. As the Government, we are looking for ways to make sure that that railway line does not continue being a white elephant, but is used as a productive link between Zambia and Malawi.

I thank you, Sir.{mospagebreak}

CONSTITUTIONAL TECHNICAL COMMITTEE

200. Mr Lufuma (Kabompo West) asked the Vice-President:

(a)whether other Zambian constitutional law experts based abroad would be included on the membership of the technical committee charged with the responsibility to draft a new Republican Constitution; and

(b)whether the Government considered it necessary for the technical committee to travel to all provincial centres to collect people’s views and, if so, why.
The Deputy Minister in the Vice-President’s Office (Mr E. C. Lungu): Mr Speaker, the membership of the technical committee has been concluded and, therefore, no Zambian constitutional law expert based abroad will be included. However, it should be noted that the technical committee has identified Professor Muna Ndulo and Professor Michelo Hansungule as some of the international experts who are going to be consulted.

Mr Speaker, the Government considers it necessary for the technical committee to travel to all provincial centres to collect people’s views on the Draft Constitution in order to ensure that it reflects the will of the Zambian people.

Mr Speaker, I thank you.

Mr Lufuma: Mr Speaker, we are all very much aware that we have sons of Zambia who are very knowledgeable about constitutional law and have assisted a number of countries in the region to draft constitutions. Professor Hansungule, Professor Ndulo and Mr Beyani are the gurus I am talking about. Why did the Government not consider having these people on the technical committee so that they assist in the drafting, other than just consulting them because we are losing out by not including them in the committee? 

Mr E. C. Lungu: Mr Speaker, the technical committee, in its terms of reference, has been empowered to consult Zambian experts both at home and abroad. It is in its discretion to choose which Zambians to co-opt into the exercise. 

I thank you, Sir.

GOVERNMENT POLICY ON NATIONAL MOURNING

201. Mr Lufuma asked the Vice-President:

(a)whether there was any Government policy on national mourning; and

(b)    how many days were applicable to each personality who qualifies for national mourning, by category.

Mr E. C. Lungu: Mr Speaker, there is a Government policy in place on national mourning and it is categorised into two, namely, State funeral and official funeral. 

Mr Speaker, the days which are applicable to each personality who qualifies for national mourning, by category, are as follows:

(i)    State Funeral

    Personality    Period of Mourning

    Current Personality    Former Personality

    President    7 days    5 days

Vice-President        5 days    3 days

Chief Justice        3 days    1 day

Speaker of the 
National Assembly    3 days                1 day

Cabinet Ministers    3 days                1 day

(ii)    Official Funerals

Personality        Period of Mourning (Current Personality only)

    Deputy Minister    1 day

Secretary to the Cabinet             1 day

Attorney-General             1 day

    Ambassador/High Commissioner    1 day

I thank you, Mr Speaker.

Mr Lufuma: Mr Speaker, correct me if I am mistaken. In the recent past, there was an ambassador who passed away and a period of national mourning was declared yet, from the hon. Minister’s explanation, this person did not qualify for a State funeral. Could he, please, clarify. 

The Vice-President (Dr Scott): Mr Speaker, the answer to that question was very explicit. There are five categories of office holders who are entitled to State funerals and this does not include ambassadors. For official funerals, there are four formal office holders entitled to State funerals. This is the information that we have and it is what we have given out. 

I thank you, Sir. 

Mr Mwiimbu: Mr Speaker, can His Honour the Vice-President explain to me, to this House and the nation the distinction between a State funeral and an official funeral, and whether, during the mourning period, solemn music is supposed to be played on all radio and television stations in Zambia. 

The Vice-President: Mr Speaker, the only information I can give, since it was not related to the question, is that, when I get my five or three days mourning period, depending on whether I am in office or not, I will not object to people playing music on the radio. 

I thank you, Sir. 

Laughter 

Mr Deputy Chairperson: Order!

The question is about the difference between official and State funeral. You may want to clarify that. 

The Vice-President: Mr Speaker, I thought there were two questions and answered one, as you would have ruled … 

Laughter

The Vice-President: … had you thought of it. However, …

Mr Deputy Chairperson: You can give a bonus answer. 

The Vice-President: Mr Speaker, I am afraid that the bonus answer is that I do not know. 

I thank you, Sir. 

Laughter

Mr Chisala (Chilubi): Mr Speaker, may I learn from His Honour the Vice-President whether the Government is considering extending official funerals to Back Benchers, Permanent Secretaries and District Commissioners, since they are also leaders. 

The Vice-President: Mr Speaker, we, certainly, have not got round to considering that particular issue yet. When we have solved the problem of unemployment, we will turn our attention to that. Meanwhile, there is nothing under consideration in that line. 

I thank you, Sir.

Professor Lungwangwa (Nalikwanda): Mr Speaker, I am sure that His Honour the Vice-President has, in his official or individual capacity, attended official and State funerals. Has he cared to find out what the distinction is between the two? 

Interruptions

Mr Deputy Chairperson: Order! 

The impression I get is that the question has already been answered. However, His Honour the Vice-President may respond. 

The Vice-President: Mr Speaker, I answered the same question to my ability, which was very limited, it so happens, and it remains limited, unless the hon. Member wishes to send me a note telling me what the difference is. 

I thank you, Sir.

Laughter 

KAPIRI-MPOSHI ROADS

202. Mr Zimba (Kapiri-Mposhi) asked the Minister of Transport, Works, Supply and Communication:

(a)whether the Government had any plans to rehabilitate the following roads in Kapiri-Mposhi Parliamentary Constituency:

(i)Mukobeko/Ngabwe via Mukubwe; and

(ii)Mpula/Masansa via Copper Mine;

(b)if so, when the works on the projects would commence ; and

(c)      when a bridge would be constructed on the road at (a) (i) above.

The Deputy Minister of Transport, Works, Supply and Communication (Dr Mwali): Mr Speaker, the Government has plans to rehabilitate the two roads. 

The Mukobeko/Ngabwe Road will be worked on once the re-allocation plan for the 2012 Annual Work Plan has been approved by the Treasury. The proposed amount is K2.5 billion. The actual works will be undertaken using the Force Account by the Road Development Agency (RDA) in collaboration with the Rural Roads Unit (RRU). 

Mr Speaker, the Government has plans to upgrade the Mpula/Masansa Road. To this effect, K6.35 billion has been provided, through the RDA, for a detailed feasibility study and design to cover the Kabwe Piccadilly Circus, including the Mpula to Masansa Road. The study will commence by August, 2012 and run for twelve months. The works are envisaged to start once the studies are completed by mid-2013. The Government is currently actively sourcing funds for the intended works. 

Mr Speaker, as earlier mentioned, works on the Mukobeko/Ngabwe via Mukubwe Road to be financed under Force Account will commence this year while works on the Mpula/Masansa Road are expected to commence next year after the studies have been finalised. 

Lastly, Mr Speaker, the Government is aware of the need for a bridge to be built on the Mukobeko/Ngabwe Road to ensure full connectivity for the areas so connected. However, that project could not be included in this year’s Annual Work Plan due to limitation of funds. The Government will endeavour to source funds so that works can be undertaken next year or beyond. 

Mr Speaker, I thank you. 

Mr Zimba: Mr Speaker, from the hon. Minister’s response, I know that we have this and next year in which to conclude everything.  

The Deputy Chairperson: Order!

Hon. Member, ask your question.
 
Mr Zimba: Mr Speaker, I am not coming up with a question. Please, come again?

Hon. Members: Aah!

The Deputy Chairperson: What is your supplementary question?

Mr Zimba: Mr Speaker, in fact, I am not asking a question. I am just trying to supplement. 

Laughter 

CONSTRUCTION OF KAWAMBWA/LUWINGU ROAD

203. Mr Chitotela (Pambashe) asked the Minister of Transport, Works, Supply and Communication:

(a)When construction of Kawambwa/Luwingu Road via Mufili and Mushota would commence;

(b)what the cost for undertaking the project would be;

(c)what the projected timeframe for the completion of the project would; and 

(d)     who the financiers of the project would be.

Dr Mwali: Mr Speaker, the construction of the Kawambwa/Luwingu Road via Mushota and Mufili, and specifically to the M003 Junction, will commence by July, this year, after the finalisation of the procurement process. The construction of the remaining section, which is 20 km from the junction of the M003 to Luwingu, will only commence once the planned study on the Mansa to Luwingu Road via Chipili is completed.

Sir, the cost and duration of the project will only be known once the study is complete in April, this year.

Lastly, Sir, the European Union (EU) is financing the construction of the feasibility study on the section from Kawambwa to Mushota via Mufili, while the Government will finance the following:

(i)the study on the Luwingu to Mansa via Chipili section;

(ii)the works for the section from Kawambwa to Mushota via Mufili to the M003 Junction; and

(iii)the Luwingu to Mansa Road.

I thank you, Mr Speaker.

Mr Chisala: Mr Speaker, may I know whether the contractor and consulting engineers have been picked.

Dr Mwali: Mr Speaker, we mentioned that the study on the Kawambwa to the M003 Junction is underway, implying that there is a consultant working on that study. The contractor will only be hired after that study is completed. As for the other section of the road, the study has not yet commenced and there is a consultant for it.

I thank you, Sir.

__________

MOTION

ADJOURNMENT

The Vice-President (Dr Scott): Mr Speaker, I beg to move that the House do now adjourn.

Question put and agreed to.

__________

The House adjourned at 1719 hours until 1430 hours on Thursday, 15th March, 2012.